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One horse, one trainer, one jockey and one race to watch on Saturday

Joseph O'Brien: has an enviable hand in the juvenile hurdle division
Joseph O'Brien: a trainer to watch on SaturdayCredit: Caroline Norris

One horse

Trainer Martin Brassil is operating at a 100 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight, and although that is because his only representative within that time has won, City Island could make it two from two and bolster his Cheltenham Festival claims in the opener at Naas (12.40).

As short as 8-1 for the Ballymore with Paddy Power, the six-year-old is stepping up in trip after winning over two miles at Leopardstown last time.

That run has been franked by Dallas Des Pictons, who won at the Dublin Racing Festival, and City Island is likely to be a very warm favourite.

One trainer

Joseph O'Brien must be loving life at the moment. The trainer has strength and depth in his firepower and is likely to officially saddle his first Cheltenham Festival winner this year with Sir Erec, Fakir D'Oudairies and Le Richebourg all having strong chances, and has plenty in the handicaps.

The JP McManus-owned Konitho is arguably his most interesting runner in the EMS Copiers Rated Novice Hurdle (2.40), although he does saddle Band Of Outlaws as well.

The former impressed on his Irish debut last time, stretching five lengths clear of Lethal Steps over this course and distance.

Unsurprisingly, O'Brien has covered all bases as the grey is entered in the Supreme, Ballymore and Triumph at the Cheltenham Festival. He could put up a performance to justify those entries.

One jockey

Paul Townend endured two narrow seconds at the Dublin Racing Festival when agonisingly denied aboard Aramon and Calie Du Mesnil, and the jockey will be back in the limelight in the feature contest in Ireland, the BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase (2.10).

Townend is due to partner likely favourite Pravalaguna, who impressed on her second chase start at Limerick last time.

Considered capable enough to contest the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham last season – although admittedly she was pulled up before the final flight – Townend will need to be at his best, as the mare's jumping hasn't totally convinced so far.

Ruby Walsh, who beat Townend on Klassical Dream at the aforementioned Dublin Racing Festival, is aboard Baie Des Iles, while Jack Kennedy, who defeated him on Dallas Des Pictons, is on Cheltenham winner Synopsis.

One race

The best racehorses in action on Saturday will be in Australia, as the 7f Group 1 Ladbrokes C.F. Orr Stakes (5.50) takes place at Caulfield.

The A$500,000 contest is often contended by some of the most talented local horses as they start their campaigns, and is a race sprinting sensation Black Caviar won back in 2012.

Kementari, who was considered good enough to be a potent threat to Winx during his three-year-old campaign, is forecast to head the market, with Toorak Handicap winner Land Of Plenty and Group 2 winner Whispering Look also engaged.

Two names familiar to British racing fans will be Best Of Days, who won the Royal Lodge when trained by Hugo Palmer, and Redkirk Warrior, who ran in last year's Diamond Jubilee and July Cup.


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Maddy PlayleDigital journalist

Published on 8 February 2019inPreviews

Last updated 16:14, 8 February 2019

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